Mahatma Gandhi and His Contestants: Reflections on Freedom Movement in India

Freedom movement in India progressed through multiple ideas and practices. Mahatma Gandhi provided impetus in his own way. He was not without challengers. The ideas and practices of Gandhi also in turn challenged the parallel movements. Though all were aimed at opposing the colonial rule and sought for independence of India, contests and contradictions among the parallels were unavoidable. Freedom movements and anti-colonial movements specifically require effective mobilization. The success depends largely upon leadership, ideology and methods. Mahatma Gandhi thoughtfully combined all the three for political action. His concept and practice of Satyagraha reflect these features embedded in truth and nonviolence. Amidst several leaders and their ideas, he was more effective than any others. Though he attempted for consensus, it was very difficult to build among the confronting leaders. Apart from the mainstream confrontation with the British rulers, he had to tackle the conflicting approaches of Subhas, Jinnah and Ambedkar. He was also confronted with the rigidity of capitalism, socialism and dogmatic religions. His simplicity attracted the people spontaneously for mobilization. At the same time he did no confrontation with the ancient values and practices. This made the people to get close to him as liberator even if the dissenters raised their voices against him.